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Police Catch Kidnapper With GPS and Google Maps

by Evan Shamoon on January 9, 2009 at 10:12 AM



Technology: 1, old people: 0.

Police apprehended a woman who allegedly kidnapped her 9-year-old granddaughter using GPS and Google Maps to track the child's cell phone.

After picking up the child on Saturday in Massachusetts, the 52-year-old grandmother apparently threatened to keep her granddaughter, telling the girl's guardians they'd never see her again. Once police knew that the girl wouldn't be returned, they contacted the phone company and used the cell's signal to pinpoint its location every time it was used via GPS. On Tuesday, the chase led to an intersection in Natural Bridge, Virginia where police examined the area using Google Street View. When a nearby building appeared to be a motel and a Google search confirmed it, local police were notified, found the girl safe and sound, and arrested the grandmother.

In a blog post following the event, Pablo Chavez, Google senior policy counsel, called the case "an interesting first (at least as far as we're aware)." Apparently, Chavez has never seen 'The Wire.' [From: CNET]

Tags: crime, google maps, GoogleMaps, gps, law enforcement, LawEnforcement, top, web

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